Chapter 4
There hug was interrupted by Harry's stomach growling. Regulus squeezed him tighter before pulling back and saying, "I'll make dinner. Would you like something to read while you wait?"
"Bloodfang gave me a list of books that he said I needed to read," Harry remembered.
"Oh, Bloodfang is your vault manager?" Regulus smiled. "He's an amazing goblin." He headed over to the kitchen.
Harry realized he hadn't looked around (and the author realized he hadn't described Regulus' apartment) and did so.
The front room was a living room connected to a kitchen, divided by a bar with stools. The kitchen was simple, with only a fridge, a few stoves, a sink, and three cupboards. The living room had one long couch that ran along two walls, a large ottoman, and a flat-screen TV. There was another door next to the TV, presumably Regulus' bedroom.
"Which books did Bloodfang want you to read?" Regulus asked as he opened the fridge.
Harry pulled out his list.
Beginners Guide to Magic, by Mage
The Deities: Lord Death, Lady Magic, Lord Fate, and Entitatum Time, by Mage
Wixen Manners, Traditions, and Holidays, by Emrys Merlin, Arthur Pendragon-Merlin and Morgana LeFay
How to Greet Goblins and Other Magical Creatures, by Hornfang
The Truth About "Firstbloods," by R.A.B.
The Truth About Squibs, by R.A.B.
The Truth About Halfbloods and In-betweens, by R.A.B.
The Truth About Purebloods and "Blood-Traitors," by R.A.B.
"Merlin, King Arthur, and Morgan LeFay wrote a book?" Harry exclaimed.
Regulus laughed and flicked his wand. The door to the bookstore opened and a black book came soaring into the room. "Yes. What other books are on the list?"
Harry told him, and Regulus flicked his wand again. Seven more books shot through the doorway, and the door closed as the books landed in a stack beside Harry.
"Who's Mage?" Harry asked as he opened the book written by Merlin. "And who's R. A. B.?"
"Mage is Lady Magic," Regulus replied, a faint note of reverence in his tone. "And I'm R. A. B.: Regulus Arturus Black. A lot of wixen have those initials, so no one can arrest me."
"What are Firstbloods?" Harry questioned.
"That's what I call Muggleborns," Regulus explained, putting a few eggs into a pan of water. "Would you like a grilled egg salad sandwich?"
"Sure." Harry closed the book. "Why do you call them Firstbloods?"
"Because they're descended from Squibs," Regulus explained. "And wixen are either all descended from Firstbloods or magical creatures." He pointed his wand at the pot, and the water boiled.
"Do you know who Mum was descended from?" Harry asked. He paused. "Did you know Mum?"
"We had secret study sessions at school with Remus -- your godfather's and your father's friend," Regulus added. When Harry frowned a little, he groaned, "Oh, don't tell me hasn't been writing to you. Idiot wolf," he muttered under his breath. He took the pot off the heat and waved his wand at it. The water disappeared. "I didn't really want know your father -- he was a bully and-"
"He was not!" Harry insisted.
"He was a bully," Regulus said, emphasizing the word 'was.' "He beat up and hexed and cursed Slytherins just because they were Slytherins. He believed the stupid idea that children could be evil. He never targeted me, probably because Sirius begged him not to, but he targeted Severus Snape, one of my best friends."
"Snape?" Harry exclaimed incredulously. "He's mean and evil!"
Regulus stared at him. "What?"
"He bullies Gryffindors, but mostly me and Neville!" Harry said angrily. "He insults us and takes away points for stupid things and keeps saying I'm stupid and arrogant and-"
Regulus pinched his nose, groaning. "He's taking his anger at your father out on you." He cast a spell over the boiled eggs and went over to the door beside the flatscreen. "Excuse me while I go write a Howler."
"Can I finish the egg salad sandwiches?" Harry asked.
"You're welcome to make the egg salad but don't touch the griddle!" Regulus called back.
Harry got up and took several spices out of the cupboard.
A black, shadowy owl soared out of the bedroom a few minutes later with a red, smoking letter in its beak. Regulus emerged and opened the bookshop door with his wand again, and the owl shot out of the apartment.
"What kind of owl was that?" Harry asked, adding another spoonful of mayonnaise. "Also, do you like mustard?"
"I hate it with a passion," Regulus responded, coming over and dipping a finger into the egg salad. "Mm! Add a little bit more paprika."
Harry did.
"How is this so good?" Regulus exclaimed, making Harry turn red. "I'll take over now, Fawn."
"My aunt makes me cook their meals, has been since I was five," Harry said quietly, and the man stiffened. "Why do you call me Fawn?" he asked, changing the subject.
"Your father's Animagus form was a stag, and your mother's Patronus was a doe," Regulus said tightly, taking bread out of one cupboard and a griddle out of another.
"What's a Patronus? And an Animagus?"
"An Animagus is a wixen that can turn into an animal," Regulus explained. "Mine is a raven. And this is a Patronus. Expecto Patronum!"
A silver shape burst out of his wand, forming into a large, glowing, transparent snake. Harry suddenly felt peaceful and happy.
"Whoa," Harry said, awed.
"It's made of pure joy," Regulus explained. "Created from a happy memory or thought. It protects against Dementors."
"What's a Dementor?"
"Hogwarts education," Regulus groaned. "A Dementor is a creature of despair. It sucks joy out of you, making you remember your worst times. I sincerely hope you never meet one." He pulled a jar of something from the fridge and poured some onto the griddle. It hissed, and the smell of bacon rose into the air.
"Huh," Harry mused. "I never thought to cook with bacon grease."
Regulus grinned. "Makes it extra crispy, and makes it taste a little like bacon. You should try it with pancakes."
"That sounds really good," Harry groaned.
"I'll make some tomorrow morning," Regulus promised. He paused. "Where are you staying, anyway?"
"The Leaky."
"I'll add a room to my apartment, it's safer here," Regulus stated.
"You can do that?" Harry exclaimed. Regulus nodded, and Harry said, "I love magic."
Regulus laughed.
"Oh... that reminds me." Harry pulled his Magical Blood Test and Magical Aura Test from his pocket. "You should probably read these."
Regulus flicked his wand and the sandwiches started making themselves. He then took the papers. A moment later his magic flared.
"Who," he asked, in a very calm voice, eyes flashing with fury, "dares but blocks and compulsions on a fucking child?"
"All it says on the Magical Aura Test is 'signature unknown,'" Harry explained nervously.
"I'll fucking remove their eyeballs and make them eat them," Regulus said in a very soft voice. Harry shuddered. "Sorry, I get protective over children, especially you."
"I couldn't tell," Harry deadpanned. Regulus snorted and went back to Harry's Blood Test.
His eyes widened a second later and he choked, "You're my son?"
"Uh, yeah."
Regulus yanked Harry into another hug, crying. "I've always wanted children but the male pregnancy potion is illegal and I'm gay and-"
Harry hugged him back tightly, pressing his face into Regulus' chest. "I've always wanted parents, or adults that actually cared about me. Can I call you dad?"
"Fuck yes! Sorry."
Harry laughed.